News Release

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Rent Scams Utilizing Craig’s List In Baldwin Village and the Hollywood Areas of Los Angeles NR11525gv

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Southwest detectives are asking for the public's help in locating additional victims of a sophisticated rent scam using Craig’s List.

Dozens of community members responded to a Craig’s List advertisement renting apartments in the Baldwin Village and Hollywood areas of Los Angeles. The victims subsequently made deposits on apartments which the suspects had no authority to rent or lease. When the victims returned to the apartments they discovered that the suspects had left with the victim’s deposit money. At least one family of three became homeless as a result of the scam.
Southwest detectives have identified multiple victims; however, the detectives believe there are more victims that have not come forward to report the scam. Detectives are requesting the public’s assistance to identify any persons who have been the victim of this rental scam.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Southwest Detectives, Burglary Section, at 213-485-6795 or to come to Southwest Community Police Station, located at 1546 West Martin Luther King Boulevard, Los Angeles and file a report.

During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.